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Alex [:p] The first number indicates how many pilot wheels there are. If you are looking at a Northern class loco (a 4 8 4) then you will see 2 pilot wheels on each side. They "lead" the loco and help keep the drivers from climbing the rail. The second number, the 8, is the number of drivers. The drivers have the side rods attached to them and are the largest wheels. The last number , another 4, indicates how many wheels are under the firebox/cab area. They became necessary because of the weight of the engines and their length. They are sometimes referred to as the trailing truck. I have used the Northern class (even tho I am a Southerner) because they are my favorite class of steam engine and because they were an all around pro at pulling both passenger and freight trains. If you can find a book somewhere about steam engines then you can notice the wheels and count them to determine the classification of the engine. I will list a few here but there are more than I could remember off the top of my head. The 4 4 0 is an American class loco, while the 4 4 2 is an Atlantic. The 4 6 0 is called a Ten Wheeler (remember Casey Jones) and the 2 6 0 is a Mogul. A 2 6 2 is a Prarie Class (kinda reminds ya of Da Mook, doesn't it) and a 4 6 2 is the famous Pacific Class (many fast passengers trains were pulled by these). A Mastadon was a 4 8 0 while the 4 8 2 was a Mountain Class (remember the Frisco 1522). Nickle Plate was famous for its fast redball freights pulled by its Berkshires which were 2 8 4 s. The last one I will list is the Hudson class for which New York Central is famous. Their J3a was a beautiful streamlined loco and pulled the 20th Century Limited. There are too many others to list. Some of the N & W fans will want to include some of the hugh engines they had. And some of the Texans will want to include the Texas class locos. Some railroads didn't follow the lead of the others and named their version with the same wheel arrangement something different. The 2 8 2 (ok I lied, but just one more) is known as Mikado class locos but during the Second World War there was a drive to change the class name to MacAruthurs. There are still many, many fans of steam engines. I am one. They were alive with their hissing (hmmm, Mookie again) the heat, the fire, just everything about them makes them live and breathe. [:D] I will let someone else pick up the lesson and teach a little. I am tired and headed for bed. [:p]
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